One glance at the table of contents of this book and the reader can be assured that autonomous driving (automatic pilot for automobiles, or maybe better, R2D2 is your personal chauffer) is not a “what-if” possibility, but a “when” situation. Virtually every advertisement for new auto models emphasizes what the car can do for you automatically, from built-in Wi-Fi to automatic parking. The extent of research conducted by auto manufacturers as well as independent agencies is mind-boggling. However, the difference in present-day research versus past research is a concern of much more than just automotive technology: What is the impact on society? This concern shows the evolution of scientific research to embrace not only nuts and bolts, but also the impact of those nuts and bolts on people.

The book is divided into six major parts: “Man and Machine”; “Mobility”; “Traffic”; “Safety and Security”; “Law and Liability”; and “Acceptance.” There are 32 chapters; suffice it to say, the editors have done a superb job of locating the best of contributors to write chapters that cover virtually every personal and professional concern in this emerging field. While some of the material is technical in nature, the majority of the chapters can be read and understood by interested professionals in many fields.

I strongly recommend the book to any and all who have a vested interest in autonomous driving. Like global warming, it is not science fiction but a soon-to-come reality.